{"id":9459,"date":"2021-12-17T12:51:57","date_gmt":"2021-12-17T12:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/?p=4967893"},"modified":"2021-12-17T12:51:57","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T12:51:57","slug":"denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Denver hotel to open cannabis smoking lounge in 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"wp_fb_like_button\" style=\"margin:5px 0 5px 5px;float:right;height:100px;\"><script src=\"http:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1\"><\/script><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022\/\" send=\"true\" layout=\"standard\" width=\"450\" show_faces=\"false\" font=\"arial\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\"><\/fb:like><\/div><div class=\"media_block\"><\/div>\n<p>Weed has long been a social substance &#8212; after all, there needs to be someone to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=dFtLONl4cNc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pass the dutchie on the left hand side<\/a>. But because of laws limiting public consumption, there are very few places where tokers can go to socially consume it like they do alcohol at a bar.<\/p>\n<p>Denver regulators and entrepreneurs hope that will soon change, however, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2021\/04\/19\/denver-weed-delivery-marijuana-city-council-2021\/\">since the city recently legalized cannabis hospitality businesses<\/a>. In November, the city began accepting applications from folks who want to open smoking lounges and Amsterdam-esque gathering places, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2021\/08\/26\/marijuana-pot-colorado-consumption-lounges-bus-aurora-denver\/\">run bus tours<\/a> where consumers are able to consume cannabis.<\/p>\n<p>So far just one person has applied, according to Eric Escudero, director of communications for Denver\u2019s Department of Excise and Licenses. That person is Chris Chiari, owner of Capitol Hill bed and breakfast The Patterson Inn.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4971646\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter size-article_inline\"><img class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022.jpg\" alt=\"Chris Chiari, owner of Capitol Hill ...\" width=\"6009\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022.jpg 620w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/TDP-L-PATTERSON-_AAO2481x.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 780w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/TDP-L-PATTERSON-_AAO2481x.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 810w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/TDP-L-PATTERSON-_AAO2481x.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1280w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/TDP-L-PATTERSON-_AAO2481x.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1860w\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">\n<div class=\"photo-credit\">AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post<\/div>\n<p>Chris Chiari, owner of Capitol Hill bed and breakfast The Patterson Inn gives a tour of the property on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Chiari is familiar with the cannabis industry, currently serving as the deputy director of the Colorado branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and having previously invested in a local dispensary. He also co-produced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2020\/07\/06\/how-a-colorado-hotel-owner-got-ice-t-to-produce-his-documentary\/\">a documentary with rapper and actor Ice-T called \u201cPublic Enemy Number One,\u201d<\/a> which explores the United States\u2019 weaponization of marijuana against communities of color.<\/p>\n<p>Chiari first dreamt of turning The Patterson Inn into a cannabis-friendly space about a decade ago when he walked by and saw the address: 420 E. 11th Ave. The property ended up selling to other buyers, but when it came back on the market in 2018, Chiari jumped at the opportunity to purchase it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat I envisioned then and am working on today,\u201d he said, \u201cis to combine four-star, boutique hospitality with legally licensed cannabis hospitality and consumption.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4971637\" class=\"wp-caption alignright size-article_inline_third\"><img class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022-1.jpg\" alt=\"The Patterson Inn on Wednesday, Dec. ...\" width=\"6024\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022-1.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022-1.jpg 620w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/TDP-L-PATTERSON-_AAO2253x-1.jpg?fit=210%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 210w\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">\n<div class=\"photo-credit\">AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post<\/div>\n<p>The Patterson Inn on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If approved for a license, Chiari plans to build out the hotel&#8217;s 1,000-square-foot carriage house into a smoking lounge for guests, who will be able to bring their own marijuana and use pipes, papers and bongs provided by the establishment to indulge. The lounge, which is expected to open by mid-2022, will serve a curated menu of mocktails designed to complement certain strains, he said.<\/p>\n<p>Guests will pay an entry fee &#8212; likely $4.20 per day &#8212; to access the lounge and Chiari is considering selling memberships for locals who want to be able to consume there as well.<\/p>\n<p>Smoking will not be permitted in the hotel rooms because of laws that require specific ventilation for smoking areas and because it could prevent the onsite restaurant from serving alcohol, Chiari said. That will also help maintain the 19th-century Victorian structure\u2019s integrity, he said.<\/p>\n<p>Though The Patterson Inn is the first &#8212; and so far only &#8212; business to apply for a cannabis hospitality license, Escudero and the city are hopeful more will roll in. Dewayne Benjamin, owner at Tetra Lounge in RiNo, told The Denver Post he plans to apply.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3782370\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter size-article_inline\"><img class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022-2.jpg\" alt=\"Owner Dewayne Benjamin smokes at his ...\" width=\"4090\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022-2.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/denver-hotel-to-open-cannabis-smoking-lounge-in-2022-2.jpg 620w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/TDP-L-TETRA-LOUNGE_HHR9691.jpg?fit=780%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 780w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/TDP-L-TETRA-LOUNGE_HHR9691.jpg?fit=810%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 810w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/TDP-L-TETRA-LOUNGE_HHR9691.jpg?fit=1280%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1280w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.denverpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/TDP-L-TETRA-LOUNGE_HHR9691.jpg?fit=1860%2C9999px&amp;ssl=1 1860w\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">\n<div class=\"photo-credit\">Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post<\/div>\n<p>Dewayne Benjamin (pictured is owner of Tetra Lounge, one of the only public places people can consume cannabis in Denver. City officials hope that will soon change with the legalization of marijuana hospitalty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Tetra Lounge, which opened in 2018, is currently one of the few places in Denver where cannabis enthusiasts can publicly consume. It closed for 14 months starting in March 2020 in response to the pandemic, during which time Benjamin remodeled and updated the air ventilation system to meet new COVID-19 standards. The lounge reopened ahead of April 20, 2021.<\/p>\n<p>Tetra Lounge operates as a private consumption lounge, and although visitors won\u2019t notice any changes at the club when he switches licensure &#8212; Tetra will still require an entry fee at the door and allow tokers to buy or bring glassware to use &#8212; Benjamin sees the hospitality license as validation of his business model.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s really exciting to me to finally have built a model that can legitimize cannabis hospitality,\u201d Benjamin said. \u201cWorking under the private club model for the last couple years presents its own hurdles [when] trying to establish not only a cannabis club but a consumer marketing platform for cannabis businesses, dealing with compliance issues and not having that legit status behind my business model. That will give me a lot more opportunity to work and grow other brands within my industry.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"related right\">\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\" data-curated-ids=\"4722671,4906323,4675760,4159482\" data-relation-type=\"curated\">Related Articles<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li> <a class=\"article-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2021\/08\/26\/marijuana-pot-colorado-consumption-lounges-bus-aurora-denver\/\" title=\"Marijuana tourism is evolving in Aurora and Denver with legal tour buses, lounges\"> <span class=\"dfm-title\"> Marijuana tourism is evolving in Aurora and Denver with legal tour buses, lounges <\/span> <\/a> <\/li>\n<li> <a class=\"article-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2021\/11\/30\/celebrity-marijuana-brands-colorado\/\" title=\"7 celebrity cannabis brands you can find in Colorado\"> <span class=\"dfm-title metered\"> 7 celebrity cannabis brands you can find in Colorado <\/span> <\/a> <\/li>\n<li> <a class=\"article-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2021\/07\/30\/marijuana-delivery-denver-strawberry-fields\/\" title=\"Marijuana delivery in Denver could start as early as August\"> <span class=\"dfm-title\"> Marijuana delivery in Denver could start as early as August <\/span> <\/a> <\/li>\n<li> <a class=\"article-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2020\/07\/06\/how-a-colorado-hotel-owner-got-ice-t-to-produce-his-documentary\/\" title=\"How a Colorado hotel owner got Ice-T to produce his documentary\"> <span class=\"dfm-title\"> How a Colorado hotel owner got Ice-T to produce his documentary <\/span> <\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The license change will also set Tetra Lounge up for future success, he said, by ensuring he can expand seamlessly, possibly into future locations. Chiari also has his sights set on expansion with hopes of opening 420-friendly hotels in cities such as Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, Chicago and New Orleans, as well as ski towns such as Breckenridge and Steamboat.<\/p>\n<p>Both believe more places where people can legally smoke weed in public will usher in a new &#8212; and long overdue &#8212; era in normalization.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHospitality has been one of the biggest missing pieces of the industry for a long time,\u201d Benjamin said. \u201cCannabis is one of the biggest tourism draws to Denver. You can buy weed on every corner, but you literally can\u2019t smoke it anywhere. Can\u2019t smoke in your hotel, can\u2019t smoke in your car, can\u2019t smoke in a park. This is going to be one of the solid pieces to move the industry forward and progress what it really can be.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/newsletter-signup\/in-the-know\">Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2021\/12\/17\/patterson-inn-denver-marijuana-smoking-lounge\/\"><span class=\"spot-im-replies-count\" data-post-id=\"4967893\"><\/span><\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"media_block\"><\/div>\n<p>Denver is full of places where you can buy weed, but there are very few places were you can publicly smoke it. As the first applicant for Denver&#8217;s new hospitality licenses, The Patterson Inn hopes ot change that. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5062,52,461,6811,376,2435,7404,7938,4995,77,9,5019,8311,6845,6228,1,3,7072,6923,2035,61,1736],"tags":[5063,2632,3035,6816,2954,2436,7405,7939,4996,2655,5022,8312,6846,6235,7073,6924,4603],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9459"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9459"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9459\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}